New SKS Owner - Old Problems

[EmpireTC]

Hello Everyone,

Ive been into milsurps in general for a long time. Mostly bolt action rifles from the WWI to WWII eras and had always been interested in, but never purchased an SKS.
I spent a lot of time on this forum and others as a non-member just researching and trying to uptake as much info as possible.
I decided I would start looking for a Type 45 and recently came across a 1950 Tula which I consider to be a refurb.

Well, once I had the Tula in-hand I realized I had about 100 questions I needed answers to now... So here I am.

My specific reason for being here at the moment though is a refurbed black bayonet without a collet. I realized very fast that the early "straight ear" collet would be a hard find so Im hoping to get some answers.
- Should I be looking for just a collet or would I have a better chance looking for a complete bayonet?
- How rare are these collets on their own and how much should I expect to spend?
- Is there any work-around to stop the droop of the incorrect late collet?

[Bacarnal]

Empire, Welcome from Kentucky.  I don't have any answers  but glad to have you here.  Someone should chime in to your questions in a few.  Cheers, Bruce.

[Greatguns]

Hey Empire, glad to see you over here as well. Can't really give you any more thoughts than what I already have on the other site, but if I do think of anything I'll let you know.
Great group of knowledgeable guys here so someone may have something I didn't think of.

[carls sks]

hi TC and welcome. good to have you here.

[astronut]

Welcome to the forum!  Sorry but I dont have any answers to your questions.

[EmpireTC]

Thank you all! Im sure you will see more of me as Im just starting into my SKS obsession

[Larry D.]

Welcome from Arizona, Empire.

One of the enablers will be along shortly to help to deepen your obsession.

[running-man]

Hi Empire, great to have you here. 
I'll provide my 2 cents, though with the craziness in the market these days, I may be off by factor ot 5 quite easily.

- Should I be looking for just a collet or would I have a better chance looking for a complete bayonet?

Looking for a complete bayo is probably your best bet.  Sometimes loose bayo collars are found, but they are few and far between and for a straight eared Russian SKS45 collar from '49 to early '52 you'll pay dearly because 99 chances out of 100 the seller knows he hit gold.

- How rare are these collets on their own and how much should I expect to spend?

Again, '49 to early '52 was the production dates for these so they are not necessarily 'rare', but they are not nearly as common as the slanted slot collars used from mid '52 through '58.  I'd guess you're going to pay $50-$75 for a generic bayo set if the seller doesn't know what he has & you can figure out it's the one you need from photos off eBay or Gunbroker.  If the seller knows what he has, the collar alone might run you $100 by itself and a complete bayo may go $150 to $200.

- Is there any work-around to stop the droop of the incorrect late collet?

You could always swapout the bayo mount to one that would fit a slanted slot collar, but that would irreparably modify the gun.  I've heard of guys tying the bayo shut with light string/dental floss to keep the droop from happening but it always gave me the mental picture of the gun having a toothache.  You may be able to insert a shim between the bayo lug ear and the collar slot, though that might be more trouble than it's worth.
Alternatively, you could remove the bayo and cleaning rod completely if it bothers you while shooting.  Not ideal at all, but w/o the correct part the droop just happens. 

[Phosphorus32]

Welcome from Washington State!

I think RM did a thorough job covering the options and costs.

[Bubbazinetti]

Welcome from N.H.

[echo1]

Welcome from Kali. PAX

[firstchoice]

Welcome from SW Missouri! Post pics of your SKS in the Russian section when you get a chance!

Glad you could join us, EmpireTC!

firstchoice

[Matchka]

Welcome from another Kali 'prisoner'!

[Bob_The_Student]

Howdy

[Cz315]

Hello and welcome from NY.

I bought some spare parts at an auction that included a straight collar bayo setup. Depending on the condition of your slanted collar we might be able to work out a trade. I'll know more on the condition of the collar once it arrives next week but PM me if you are interested.

[EmpireTC]

Hello and welcome from NY.

I bought some spare parts at an auction that included a straight collar bayo setup. Depending on the condition of your slanted collar we might be able to work out a trade. I'll know more on the condition of the collar once it arrives next week but PM me if you are interested.

I really appreciate that but I may have already secured the correct collet. If you need a slanted collet though, I have no need for the one I have once the straight comes. I can just send you this one if you pay postage.

[Cz315]

Thank you, EmpireTC! It'd be much appreciated. I'll send you a PM shortly.

[Bob_The_Student]

I really appreciate that but I may have already secured the correct collet. If you need a slanted collet though, I have no need for the one I have once the straight comes. I can just send you this one if you pay postage.

Hello Empire and welcome. I disagree with the highlight in red. When you get your 5th, 6th, or 7th SKS one may not have a bayonet.

[EmpireTC]

I really appreciate that but I may have already secured the correct collet. If you need a slanted collet though, I have no need for the one I have once the straight comes. I can just send you this one if you pay postage.

Hello Empire and welcome. I disagree with the highlight in red. When you get your 5th, 6th, or 7th SKS one may not have a bayonet.

Ha! Normally I would agree but Im kind of maxed out on the amount of space I have for my collection and just recently downsized/decluttered to make room for the 2 SKS' I just got.

[High Noon]

Welcome to the site. 

I'm sure you can get these issues resolved.